Tech Cruises past Illinois Behind Brown's 21
By: Travis Cram - Texas Tech University
Updated: December 5, 2012
LUBBOCK, Texas --
Chynna
Brown scored a season-high 21 points and Kelsi Baker added a career-high
16 to help push Texas Tech past Illinois, 75-56 on Wednesday night at
United Spirit Arena.
Tech (7-1) won its sixth straight game and overcame poor shooting in the first half thanks in part to a 16-4
run before the half and consistent rebounding throughout the night.
The Lady Raiders outrebounded the Illini 43-31, including 18 offensive reboundsthat helped lead to 10 second
chance points and a 36-24 advantage in the paint. Baker, Brown and Jackie Patterson each ended the night with eight rebounds.
"That's
the stat line you look at when you get 18 offensive rebounds," Curry
said. "Especially on the perimeter
that's big and physical. I was really pleased with our energy on the
glass thought that for a little while that kept us in the game."
The
other part was the hot streak Brown got on near the end of the first
half. She hit two of her three,
3-pointers to help spark the 16-4 run, scoring all seven of her
first-half points in the final three minutes of the half. Then
Brownfound ways to steal or get open down the court in transition as
Tech outscored Illinois 12-2 in fast break points.
"We were just trying to come out and be aggressive," Brown said. "Letting my teammates get the ball to me,
and just trying to try to shoot if I was open."
Despite
Brown's 21-point outburst, Tech remained a balance attack throughout
the night and got key minutes
from freshman Kellyn Schneider, who's block on All-Big Ten selection
Karisma Penn ignited a little excitement before the first-half run.
Four Lady Raiders scored in double digits, including Christine Hyde, who added 12 points and was 6 of 6 from
the foul line, along with Casey Morris who had 11.
